CAN YOU USE A HUG TODAY?

TOM BACK IN ICU WITH INFECTION

Tom was moved back into ICU with an infection, but hopefully will get on top of that quickly and get back to rehab and on his feet again. A bump in the road on this recovery journey...

KEEP CHEER & HANG IN THERE!

MOVED FROM TAMPA TO ORLANDO!

Tom got back to Orlando late yesterday (Orlando Regional Medical Center) -was put in a nice room to start rehab (Lucerne Pavillion), but hospital discovered his blood pressure was a little low, he had a slight fever, and his labs were "screwy", so they moved him to another regular hospital room to stabilize that before rehab-he is tired all this week, probably a little sad and depressed, which is understandable, but the first we have seen really-SO I am headed there this morning to see him, cheer him, and see the situation-it is on other side of town, but very nice and affiliated with the big Orlando Hospital there-will write later to update-meanwhile, roof materials are to arrive, hopefully today, and start tomorrow--a little crazy, but rolling any way-LATER-


"Feel like resting this week!
It's been a long journey to get this far! Will gear up to truck on again. Hear they're goin' to work me hard at this new place!"

MOTHER'S DAY VISIT WITH TOM

ROCKING IN PLACE-Saw Tom yesterday with Erik for a lovely mother's day--beautiful sunny florida--he was a bit sleepy and quiet, but we had a nice time and we are awaiting anxiously any word hopefully even today on the next step of moving him for more thorough rehab-he is quite bored now where he is, and it is TIME-he told me today his current weight now is 215 pounds-and that is amazing, and also a bit scary--he has not weighed that since a senior in high school!! -- he needs to eat my chicken kiev etc.!! No real other news, so just rocking in place. Will be so nice to see our Jersey friends John and Ginny Lord later this week who are vacationing in Florida now! Getting work done on house, little chores as well, and new roof this week! Love to all-will let you know!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Have a wonderful day!

STARTING TO EAT AGAIN!!!

AND EATING-he started soft foods yesterday morning and said the applesauce tasted like something from the fields--am sure he has no sense of taste or smell after all this, so it will take time!!No more extra thousand island dressing!!

Continues to progress, and we talk 3-4 times a day-I am homebound as there is a new roof coming and tilework done, and some millwork-and now that we can talk, it surely saves the LONG ride over--he is doing so well that they may move him on soon, closer to Orlando, for more therapy etc. I called him yesterday morning at 10:A.m. and he said to call back in 20 minues-he was stark naked, and he had "20 nurses lined up!"-Still funny as ever, and he will be a bit of a celebrity when he moves on-everyone stops in

to see him!

Onward and upward-
Love to all, Marilyn

A GREAT WEEK!

WHAT A WEEK-we saw him yesterday and he was TALKING for real--looked great, skinnier than before, and all vital signs are stable and he is totally breathing on his own now and VENT is gone--so TODAY he is to do a swallow test to make sure it goes into his stomach and he will begin eating soft foods--hurray-dreaming of cheeseburgers and has forgotten what they taste like! Erik was dumbfounded to hear his voice and it made Erik's whole day! We instantly called Jon and he talked to Jon at length-another great moment!

With balloons and red geraniums gracing his room from Kent and Sharon with love, it was a beautiful afternoon in so many ways. I brought him his cellphone and charger-he told me to charge his phone and I said it didn't need to be charged, but he insisted--I looked at him sweetly and asked "do you want to argue?" and he so sweetly looked back at me and said-"I don't want to argue any more-I made that decision" and I was so touched..
He is determined to have a busy week and he loves his therapist who walks him, and he told us he begged her not to let him "fail" and she promised he wouldn't-he is so determined now to get well, and he is making great strides. Dr. Edwards, his favorite kidney doctor in Orlando whom we love, called me Saturday noon to see how he was, and was ecstatic that he was talking and walking--it gives a doctor great satisfaction, and I shall never forget his comment--"When the mind is all in tact, then the body follows behind"--and that is truly the case here-he told me to tell him to keep fighting for "both of us"-Dr. Edwards and Tom!!
IT WAS A GREAT DAY IN EVERY WAY-love to all, and thanks to all. He may be calling YOU!
His cellphone no. is 321-947-0704, but cellphones are not promoted in the hospital, so I shall caution all to be sparing--I even have trouble getting through because they are always doing something, but I also know how thrilled he is to be connected back to the world!
He asked Erik a lot of questions again, and he surely doesn't remember much of the first long episode of all this, but now grasps most all and is very aware it is MAY already-we need a vacation!